Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2021

A towering wine deeply rich in flavour that sends an important message about the grape. Don’t ever write Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc off just some “bungee jump into a gooseberry bush” – as famously described by one wine writer – it can be so, so much more. For starters, Section 94 is sourced off a single organic vineyard, fermented in seasoned French oak and is undoubtedly higher in alcohol (14% ABV) than most and comes with more bottle age than most. Mid gold hues. A deep, rich scent filled with jasmine, apple blossom, notes of asparagus, wild herbs and ginger.  There is an equally deep flavour, quite idiosyncratic and intense. In part, it has to do with the ripeness of the fruit that moves into peach and nectarine with preserved lemon savouriness. It rolls and rolls over the tongue, almost syrupy in texture, with an added wildness of herbs, ginger and citrus. Finishes on a note of lemon pastille. Riveting stuff. Points: 96/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 23rd May 2026

Hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed and aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak. This is a wine that consistently delivers, while ageing at a glacial rate, almost beyond belief. At five years, this is showing Meyer lemon, cantaloupe and Alphonse mango skin. Mock orange blossoms, honeysuckle and struck sandstone flint. The palate curls into creamy candlenut and oatmeal, then circles back to its citrus and tropical fruit core. It's languid and slightly oily, persistent and long. A wine for rewiring your brain and taste buds on what great sauvignon can do. Points: 96/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 8th Apr 2026